
Coronado
National
Memorial

Commemorating the first major exploration of the American
Southwest by Europeans, Coronado National Memorial lies on the
United States-Mexico border within sight of the San Pedro River
Valley, through which the Coronado Expedition first entered the
present U.S. in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. It
is a cultural area situated in a natural setting comprised of
4,750 acres of oak woodlands.
- VISITATION:
- High season is January to April; low season is Labor Day to
Christmas.
.
- LOCATION:
- Hereford, AZ
- ADDRESS:
- Coronado National Memorial
4101 East Montezuma Canyon Road
Hereford, AZ 85615
- TELEPHONE:
- (520) 366-5515
- OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
- Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day.
- CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
- Summers are warm with frequent thunderstorms in July and
August. Winter temperatures often fall below freezing at night
with occasional light snowfalls.
- DIRECTIONS:
- From I-10 exit south on Hwy. 90 to Sierra Vista then south on
Hwy. 92 to Coronado Memorial Highway. (From Bisbee, take Hwy 92
west). The visitor center is five miles southwest of Hwy. 92.
- TRANSPORTATION:
- To Park: take Hwy. 92 by personal vehicle.
In Park: personal vehicle or bicycle on East Montezuma Canyon
Road.
- FEES, COSTS, RATES:
- No fees. Donations accepted at visitor center.
- FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Small museum with authentic and replica 16th century arms and
armor; nine-minute video on Coronado's Expedition; period
costumes for visitors to try on; wildlife and bird exhibits.
- Trails, Roads:
- East Montezuma Canyon Road is paved from Hwy. 92 to one mile
west of the visitor center, then it is a narrow, unpaved mountain
road (24 ft. vehicle length limit) to the scenic overlook at
Montezuma Pass. The dirt road continues west into the Coronado
National Forest. There are hiking trails from the visitor center
west to Montezuma Pass (3.1 miles); from Montezuma Pass south to
Coronado Peak (0.4 miles); from Montezuma Pass north to Miller
Peak (5.3 miles) connecting with trails in the Miller Peak
Wilderness; and from the visitor center to Coronado Cave (0.75
miles, permit required).
- Programs/Activities:
- History and nature programs and tours of Coronado Cave for
groups when scheduled in advance and for the general public on
weekends during the busy seasons.
- Lodging and camping facilities:
- None in Memorial. Lodging in Sierra Vista and Bisbee.
Camping on adjacent forest lands.
- Food/supplies:
- Restaurants and groceries in Sierra Vista and Bisbee.
- Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
- Opportunities:
A Bookstore in the visitor center managed by Southwest Parks and
Monuments Association.
- Accessibility:
- Visitor center parking, rest rooms, museum and bookstore are
accessible for persons in wheelchairs. Video is closed
captioned. Picnic area has one site with accessible parking,
rest room and table. Montezuma Pass has accessible parking and
rest rooms. Video, most museum exhibits and all wayside signs
are in English and Spanish.
- Special Needs:
- Buses and RV's should park in the picnic area.
- RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
- Visiting the museum; hiking; bird watching; picnicking;
spelunking.
- RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
- Permits for Coronado Cave are obtained at the visitor center
free of charge. Reservations for large groups in the visitor
center and picnic area should be made at least two to four weeks
in advance. Special use and filming permits are arranged on an
individual basis.
- BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Allow two hours to visit museum and scenic overlook at
Montezuma Pass, and an additional half-hour to hike to Coronado
Peak. Allow two hours for a visit to Coronado Cave and bring two
flashlights per person. Pets are not allowed on hiking trails
and should not be left unattended in parked vehicles, especially
in warm weather.
- VISITOR IMPACTS:
- Information concerning road conditions to Montezuma Pass is
available at visitor center.
- ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
- Coronado National Forest and Miller Peak Wilderness; San
Pedro National Riparian Conservation Area; Ramsey Canyon
Preserve.
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Write the Superintendent, 4101 East Montezuma Canyon Road,
Hereford, AZ 85615 or call (520) 366-5515.
______________________________
Last Updated:Monday, 30-Jun-97 10:00:22
http://www.nps.gov/coro/